Signs You May Need Cataract Surgery: Early Warning Symptoms to Watch For
Cataracts develop gradually, often without noticeable symptoms at first. However, as they progress, they can significantly impact your vision and daily life. Recognizing the signs of advancing cataracts can help you determine when it’s time to seek treatment. If you’ve noticed increasing difficulty with night driving, glare from bright lights, or colors appearing faded, cataract surgery may be an option to improve your quality of life.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, affecting how light enters the eye. This clouding develops slowly over time and is primarily associated with aging, though factors like UV exposure, smoking, diabetes, and certain medications can contribute to their formation.
Common Symptoms of Cataracts
While cataracts don’t cause noticeable symptoms in their earliest stages, they can begin to affect vision as they progress. Some common signs include:
1. Cloudy or Blurred Vision
Cataracts scatter and block light as it enters the eye, making vision appear hazy or less distinct. This can make everyday tasks like reading, watching TV, or recognizing faces more difficult.
2. Colors Appear Faded or Yellowed
Many people with cataracts notice that colors seem less vibrant. Whites may appear more beige, and everything may take on a slightly brown or yellowish hue.
3. Increased Sensitivity to Light
Bright sunlight, indoor lighting, and headlights may seem overly harsh or cause discomfort, making it difficult to be in well-lit environments.
4. Glare and Halos Around Lights
Cataracts can cause glare from lamps or streetlights, as well as halos around headlights or traffic signals. This can be particularly bothersome when driving at night.
5. Difficulty Driving at Night
Dim lighting and increased glare can make night driving challenging, leading to reduced confidence behind the wheel.
6. Double Vision in One Eye
Some people with cataracts experience double vision in one eye, which can make it harder to focus on objects.
7. Needing a Brighter Light to Read
Reading or doing close-up tasks may require increasingly brighter light, as cataracts reduce the amount of light that reaches the retina.
8. Frequent Changes in Prescription Glasses or Contacts
If you find yourself needing new prescription glasses or contact lenses more often than usual, cataracts may be the underlying cause. Unlike typical age-related vision changes, cataracts continue to progress over time.
When Should You Consider Cataract Surgery?
Not everyone with cataracts needs surgery right away. However, if vision changes are interfering with daily life—such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces—it may be time to explore treatment options. Cataract surgery is a quick, outpatient procedure with a strong safety record, making it one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the U.S. The procedure involves replacing the clouded lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) designed to improve visual function.
Schedule a Consultation at Kovach Eye Institute
If you’ve noticed changes in your vision, the team at Kovach Eye Institute is here to help. We offer comprehensive cataract evaluations and advanced surgical options tailored to your needs. With convenient locations throughout Chicagoland, expert eye care is always within reach. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.
